Veronica never felt so relieved. After hearing the news of her parents being found out of Daniel's mouth, her whole body just shook as if a heavy rock was lifted off of her back. Her chest cave in and her body sagged on the chair. With a glazed look, she asks him, "A-are they o-okay?" her voice quaked. Her palms sweat as she anticipates his answer. What if he says that they're not okay? his face was then unreadable and as a result, Veronica couldn't bear the tension of waiting.
Then Daniel nods his head in response. Her face must have lighted up when she heard the good news as he gently smiles at her after seeing her expression before turning to look behind him, "The team already transported them back to the city for treatment. You should go with that one helicopter on standby, outside." he urged, and Veronica didn't hesitate as she runs outside to the waiting helicopter.
***
Lucia Renarth already had her wounds cleaned and clothes changed as soon as she arrived at the hospital. She is still a bit light-headed because of the pain medication injected into her so she lied her head back down on the soft pillow behind her. It really is some sort of miracle that anyone has already found them as soon as they went missing. Truth be told, she's already prepared to wait for a few days for someone to come and rescue them but it seems like their time on earth isn't up just yet.
The sliding door to her room opened and she expected another nurse doing her rounds to come and check up on her but instead, her only daughter came running in with a tear-stained face.
Veronica ran to her arms as soon as she sees her mother and she never felt so at home. Embracing Lucia and feeling her familiar warmth gave Veronica a sense of realization that everything is real. She's safe and alive in front of her.
Lucia gasped upon carefully laying her eyes on her daughter. "What happened to you, Roni?" she asks worriedly as if she hadn't been in an accident herself. Her daughter's clothes were a mess, she had mud spots on her face, and one of her arms was bandaged.
"I'm alright, mom. These are just scratches." she let her know with a smile but that didn't make her feel better. Whatever happened to her daughter while they were gone?
A young man walks from behind Veronica wearing a boyish smile and Lucia immediately directs a glare at him. Was this boy the one who hurt her baby?
As if feeling the rage and suspicions in her stare, Lucas shot his hands up in surrender while shaking his head. "I can explain, Mrs. Renarth."
Veronica only realized what was happening after hearing Lucas's anxious voice. "It's not what you think, Mom. Lucas here is one of the people who helped me find you and dad." Understanding finally dawned on the woman's face. The hard look of her expression instantly disappeared and was replaced with a warm and gentle smile. Lucas's nervous appearance then eased and he breathes a sigh of relief which made Veronica chuckle.
"How about dad? Where is he?" she asked her mother as soon as the mood lightened up but the air around Lucia suddenly changed. Veronica started to feel on edge once again when her mom didn't answer her question right away. Did Daniel not say that both of her parents are okay or did she not heard him right?
"He's okay, right? He's just in the bathroom, huh? Mom?" She asked again her eyes darting to the ensuite bathroom door.
Her second question made Lucia sighed as she takes Veronica's hand to hers. "He's okay. I made sure that he was tended to first before I allowed them to treat me." She explained but the look on her face was still worrisome that Veronica still doubts if her father is really fine.
"-But"
"He's currently in a coma, Roni." Lucia finally revealed and Veronica now understands why her mother looked troubled despite saying that her dad has already received treatment.
A throat cleared behind them and their conversation had to end for the time being. An old man in a white coat walks over to them followed by two nurses.
"Doctor." Lucas greets the man with a quick handshake. "Roni, this is Dr. Fritz, our family doctor. He'll be taking care of your parents so rest assured that they're in good hands."
"Mrs. Renarth." The old doctor greeted. "From now on, my team and I will be in charge of you and your husband's treatment. We will do what we can to help you as VIP guests of the Fords." He said and Veronica's eyes widen at his declaration.
Feeling Lucia's questioning gaze, Veronica had to keep a straight face while looking away from her.
"VIP guests?" Lucia queried and the doctor and his team confusingly looked at each other as well as though they're unsure of their patient's weird question. Lucia started to get out of bed and everyone began to panic but Veronica, with the help of the two nurses, was able to settle her back on her bed without damaging her hand connected to the IV.
"I'm sorry, doctor but we can't afford this VIP care. I don't know who signed us up for the VIP ward. No wonder the room looked even better than my own house but to be honest…" exhaustion laced her voice while hesitation crosses her face, thinking if it's okay to announce it among this many persons.
"-to be honest, we can't afford this. I bet one night in this room would cost us our whole house." The woman's uneasiness was visible as she clenches her hands together. "You can move me to a standard room." She announces while looking at her daughter with a pleading look. "Your dad can stay here and receive the best treatment so he'll get better quickly. Anyway, I'm not that hurt. In fact, I can check out right now and we can all go hom-"
"Mom, you don't have to worry about this. I'll pay-"
"No one's going anywhere." All heads turned once a familiar voice spoke.
Cedric enters the room with a bandaged forehead and an arm cast. He's already wearing his suit as if nothing happened. Is he feeling okay already? Veronica can't help but wonder after seeing his appearance.
"It's okay, Doc. I just haven't informed them about you and your team. You can go ahead and I'll talk to you on the phone later." Dr. Fritz's face lightened up as soon as he hears Cedric's explanation. He then said his goodbyes and left the room with the nurses.
Veronica knew that her mother is still shooting questioning daggers at her so she turned to face the woman. Just introduce him, and be done with it. "Mom, this is Mr. Ford. He's a friend and my boss."
"I thought you were working for April?" Lucia asks clearly confused.
"Uh…" Veronica began to stutter.
"I'm their client." Cedric joined in.
"Oh?" Lucia looks at Veronica for her confirmation.
She nods at her mother before agreeing with him, "He's right, mom."
"And what does Mr. Ford need a make-up artist like you for?" Lucia asked again, moving her gaze to Cedric and then to Veronica.
"He..uh-" Veronica's breathing hitches trying to make out what to say.
"Some men like make-up too, ma'am." Lucas chimed in and Lucia's eyes widen in understanding.
"Oh. I see," she utters looking at Cedric and then to Lucas.
Seeing the weird look on her mother's face, Veronica cut in their talk. "-and he's here to check on us. Am I right, Mr. Ford?" Cedric nods his head in response. It's a good thing that he's sharp when it comes to these things.
"Mr. Ford helped me find you and dad and he…" she paused thinking if it's a good idea to tell her mom that she's been in an accident as well. "-he saved me back at the mountains. That's why he has a broken arm and I got off with only a few scratches." She finished explaining, deciding to say it anyway.
Lucia's eyes glistened while she watches her daughter with worry, "-but I'm okay now. I promise." Veronica quickly added when she noticed the look on her mother's face.
Lucia heaved a sigh before turning to look at Cedric. She slowly sat up from her bed and took Cedric's hand to hers. "Thank you very much, Mr. Ford. I don't know how my family and I will ever be able to repay you but please tell me if there's anything we can do…"
Cedric smiled at the frail woman in front of him, "You don't have to worry about anything, Mrs. Renarth. I'm glad to be of help. Please don't hesitate to tell the staff if you find something uncomfortable." He last said before he let himself out with Lucas.
Veronica held her mom by the shoulders to help her lay back on the bed, asked a nurse outside to look after her for a moment before running after Cedric.
"Mr. Ford," she called but he didn't seem to hear it so she called him again.
"Mr. Ford!" but he didn't turn around so she tried one last time.
"Cedric!"
This time, he finally turned, a small smirk drawing on his lips but Veronica didn't notice that as she gasp for breath when she was able to catch up to him. God, he didn't even slow down… she thought before looking at him in the eye, "Can we talk?"
"I'll be waiting in the car," Lucas pats his cousin on the back, then smiled at Veronica before leaving.
***
What Veronica had in mind was quite simple. Take Cedric to the café downstairs, buy him a coffee as an apology, and sincerely say sorry for what she said. It was her idea to talk with him but she's slowly starting to regret it as Cedric continues to give her a cold shoulder. Wanting it to be over, she began nonetheless.
"Thank you…for everything and," she paused, "-I'd like to apologize for what I said back at the mountains. I didn't mean to come off as ungrateful. I owe you my life so thank you for saving me and my parents." She bit her lip while waiting for his response.
Cedric took a sip from his cup while looking outside the café window. "Is that all?"
Veronica watched the man in front of her.
Fine. It's normal for him to be angry. After all, she has been such an ungrateful idiot so she decided to just let his irritation pass. "Yeah." She replied looking at her fruit tea like it was the most interesting in the world.
"Then I'll be sending George to get you tomorrow to sign the contract. See you tomorrow, Ms. Renarth." He said taking one last sip at his cup before blatantly leaving without even sparing her a glance. Okay, she may or may not deserved that…
_to be continued_
A/N: one of the longest chapters I've written for TUP (a whooping 1795 words ohem!) Hope this was a good read. I enjoyed writing this chapter lol. Lucas is my baby so don't hurt him. I swear he tried to help this time haha he didn't mean any harm when he said what he did lmao.